nerves
 

any of you veterans still/ever get nervous before your games? i'm in my third year,and have done about 150 games from jv down, but i'm still getting nervous before games. i'm kinda jumpy by nature so that doesn't help, but i thought my nerves would be better by now. thanks.

There's nervous and there's nervous. I always want the "edge" that excitement and anticipation give me before a big game. But nowadays I don't get so anxious that I'm distracted by my own pounding heart.

If your nerves are a continuing distraction, then I recommend learning some controlled breathing and relaxation techniques. As part of your pre-game, they can minimize your body's adrenaline response and help you focus during the game.

I take it as a good thing. I'm in my second year and I get a little bit of butterflies, especially before my higher-level games. I know that if I get nervous, I'm up for the game.

The butterflies go away after the first whistle.

I've done this for over 20 years, and still get a little nervous before a game. I've actually had a game or two where I've gone in totally relaxed and comfortable, and had a problem of some sort during the game, so I figured being too relaxed means I'm not concentrating enough.

Granted, I'm not as nervous as I was many years ago, and that comes from the comfort of knowing the game and the rules better. But I still think it helps to be a little "on edge" to be more alert and better able to handle the different situations that come up during a game.

I don't get nervous but my adrenaline starts to really flow prior to each game so I am pumped when I walk onto the floor. It reminds me of the seriousness of the job I am about to do.

I do not get so-called "nervous" anymore for familiar situations. The only time I get "nervous" or can tell something is different is when I am working in a conference, a level or some place I am not used to normally. But if it is similar teams, surroundings or situations I hardly think that much about what I am feeling. That being said it has been getting like that every year in the last 5 years. And it does help that this is my 15 season. Five years or more I would have had a different answer. Just know it gets easier, but that does not mean I am not excited or waiting for the game to start, just nervous is not an emotion I can say I share often anymore.

Peace

...anxious might be a better word.;)

I'm thinking Padgett may be along soon with a pharmaceutical solution for you.

That's why so many officials have a pre-game in the throne room.

awesome!! lol....

after reading the posts here i realize that i'm not alone...my nervousness is better looked at as anxious anticipation...i'm fine once the games start. and, my fear is that i'm afraid i'm gonna screw up, but i realized soon after i started the only way to never screw up is to quit ref'ng...

I kinda know what you are going through. I don't get as nervous anymore, I get more excited and anxious. When I used to get nervous, I felt as if something might pop up during a game that I might not have seen before and screw things up...may not react correctly. Also, when I worked with a more experience official(s), I wanted things to be perfect, which I later realized is impossible. That's why I think I spent a lot of time watching video, found a great mentor, worked a lot of games (AAU also), practiced my mechanics, had nose in rule book, watch lots of varsity games and not least of which is this forum. All of these helped me feel more confident and relaxed during a ball game.

I find myself anxious in certain moments. The last time was when I worked the "game of the year" last season that was hyped like no other regular season game I can remember since I moved here. The game was on TV, was sold out in 10 minutes (advance ticket sales), and there were stories on the 5PM news about rivalries and the importance (overstated if you ask me) of this game (which was right before I left the house). Those butterflies lasted until I tossed the ball up and from that point on, I was simply working the game.

Of course the JV game before us went OT, too.

My 11th year. I do get a little nervous before BIG games, and it doesn't have to be a BIG Boys game. I had an intra City Rivalry girls game last night and was just a little nervous, once the game started, I was fine as usual.

Most games, I am not nervous at all. Sometimes a partner will make me a little nervous, but rarely. If I work with one of our board members.

I can't tell you how much I enjoy refereeing. I remember my partners telling me my first year, " Just relax and have fun"

"Have Fun"? I thought, I am too busy to have fun, I got to watch the players, the clock, listen to the coach, think about the call, the rules, the Arrow....no time for fun.

Now, I love it, I don't think about anything much, sometimes the foul count, but not even that too much. Just let the game come to you.

I've been at this for over 30 years. Most nights, I could take a nap five minutes before the start of the game. On nights that there is a big game or a state tournament game, I am a little more wound up, but not tons.

One of my former partners was the most Nervous Nelly I have ever met in my life. He would hit the facilities four or five times before we walked on the court. However, once the game started, he was outstanding.

The moral to the story is that everyone is different and you just have to work within yourself.

His Pregame Is Very Boring, Puts Me To Sleep ...
 

I've seen this guy work. He makes a lot of calls outside his primary.

http://ts2.mm.bing.net/images/thumbn...695629111076d9

Apologies To Mark Padgett ...
 

I stopped throwing up before games twenty-nine years ago. Now I save it for vomiting on coaches shoes.

It's interesting to put your finger on what makes you nervous.

I've worked two new high school floors this year (for me), one last night and the other last month. I was a little nervous last night, but not at all last month. I had a rookie partner last night and was the R, and was the U last month with a veteran I've worked with before. I go to church in the town where I served last night, but don't know anyone well in the other town.

Nerves can keep you on your toes, but they can also negatively affect mechanics. I know of once where I whistled a foul with an open palm last night. That's not a big deal to most people, but it gets noticed nonetheless.

Both coaches thanked us on our way off the floor, so I suppose that's a decent sign.

If Not, I've Got Some Waterfront Property In Florida ???
 

And I own this bridge that crosses the East River, and connects Manhattan to Brooklyn. Want to buy it? You could put up some tolls and make a lot of money. Just send me your bank account number, and PIN.

I would say that I get a little nervous because I don't want to screw up, I don't want to miss a call and I don't want to misinterpret or misapply a rule. I don't want to be the difference in a win or a loss.

Coaches, fans and players don't bother me.

Attaboy Bob!
 

Ahem..... I really had some issues a few yrs back, but it's gotten better over the yrs. I still get a bit anxious/nervous before games but have learned to eat light leading up to the game. That being said, my anxiety is long forgotten when I hit the locker room and start preppin!

The full body massage I get from Bambi before every game seems to take away any nervousness or stress. That, combined with my meds, lets me just float through games.

Ah, come on. I've never had someone displeased with me thank me after the game. Usually, they just avoid.

And Keep Your Eyes Peeled For Nearby Buses ...
 

Hang around for thirty years. Then you'll figure out not to believe compliments from coaches, even losing coaches. They always have ulterior motives. Always. Same thing with winning coaches. Even coaches in the stands scouting. All coaches, period. Even dead coaches.

Whenever anyone says, "You called a good game" (and yes - it does happen sometimes) I always reply, "Yeah. I know."

The line to use when they complain is, "Coming from a real expert like you, that means a lot".

count to yourself "1,2,3,4,5" while you're breathing in.
count to yourself "1,2,3,4,5" while holding your breath.
count to yourself "1,2,3,4,5" while exhaling.

this will calm you down and allow you to see and think more clearly during the action.

Or Don't Do Any Of This And Just Think Good Thoughts About This Image ...
 

All done while sitting like this:

http://ts4.mm.bing.net/images/thumbn...e6d680fa04417d

Nice Pecs jeffpea ...
 

You must be this guy?

http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbn...f1c51385536dee

I had a head coach / AD call after our game earlier this week and leave two messages (one on my cell phone VM and one with my wife) to tell us he appreciated us making the long drive in the weather and that we were the best crew he's had all season. Yes, they won, but it was still a nice gesture. When I saw the number on the voice mail, my first thought was that we left something at the school.